FEED365: Supporting Year-Round Grazing in the West Midlands Region

May 08,2025 Feed 365 Project, Project Update Article, 2025, Projects, RAD2125,

By Kate Parker & Simon Kruger, WMG

After three years of work with local producers, the West Midlands Group has concluded the FEED365 project—a compilation of on-farm demonstrations designed to support more resilient grazing systems by addressing feed gaps across the calendar year, funded by DPIRD & MLA. The project explored how different forage systems could reduce the need for supplementary feeding, while improving groundcover and livestock productivity, particularly in dry or unpredictable seasons.

FEED365 was developed in response to a common and ongoing challenge in mixed farming systems across the Northern Agricultural Region: the early and late season feed gap. These periods often force producers to rely on supplementary feeding, reducing overall profitability and increasing management pressure.

On-Farm Demonstrations Across Three Sites

The project partnered with local producers across three trial sites—Gillingarra, Warradarge and Dandaragan—to test different grazing strategies under paddock conditions.

At Gillingarra, perennial pastures were over-sown with forage cereals and legumes to compare the productivity, resilience and livestock outcomes of:

Perennial-only pastures;
Perennials plus a cover crop;
Traditional annual pastures (as a control).

Over the three years, the perennial-plus-cover crop paddocks showed clear advantages. These treatments recorded the highest average daily gains (ADG), supported more grazing days, and maintained green groundcover for longer, even in dry years. With adjustments to fertiliser, seed mix and grazing strategy each season, the trial demonstrated how producers can refine pasture systems over time to suit seasonal and paddock conditions.

At Warradarge, a different strategy was tested—creating a self-sufficient annual pasture system based on serradella, triticale and barley. Despite a shortened growing season in 2024, these systems delivered high biomass and showed potential for extended grazing windows. The data reinforced a key finding from across the project: early grazing provides the best opportunity for weight gain, but grazing must be carefully managed to maintain groundcover above critical thresholds.

A third site in Dandaragan trialled the establishment of tedera. While the soil type and fertility were considered suitable, the pasture struggled due to staggered germination, weed competition, and poor nodulation. This result highlighted the importance of site preparation and early season weed management when introducing new species into a grazing system.

Engaging Local Producers

Over the life of the project, the West Midlands Group hosted a range of extension activities to share insights and engage producers in discussion around pasture and grazing system innovation. Field walks, demonstration site visits, producer meetings, and technical workshops created regular opportunities for knowledge exchange.

One of the farmer discussion events at the Gillingarra FEED365 trial site.

This hands-on engagement contributed to a strong uptake of project messages. A repeat KASA (Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills and Aspirations) survey was conducted in early 2022 and then again in 2025, showing a measurable shift in how producers in the region approach feedbase planning. All respondents expressed concern about the late autumn to early winter feed gap—up from 62% in 2022—and 90% now believe drought-hardy pasture options are available and worth exploring. There was also a notable increase in the use of improved pastures and forage cereals, with more producers incorporating rotational grazing and pasture renovation into their system planning.

Livestock, Pasture and Profitability Outcomes

Across the three years at Gillingarra, cattle grazing perennial plus cover crop paddocks achieved consistent improvements in weight gain and pasture productivity. The average daily gain for these paddocks increased each year, even in lower rainfall seasons. Groundcover remained above the 50% threshold, and satellite data showed strong green cover persistence into late spring.

An economic analysis on this site showed that while perennial systems with cover crops carry higher upfront costs (including seeding, fertiliser and infrastructure), they become increasingly profitable over time—particularly when cattle prices are strong. Perennial-only systems also performed well, delivering reliable returns with lower input costs. In contrast, annual pastures provided less consistent outcomes and were more susceptible to seasonal stress.

At Warradarge, the trial explored late-season grazing of whole crops, raising opportunities for systems that can respond flexibly to short growing seasons. The sheep were shown to have gained the most weight during the first three weeks of grazing, confirming that optimal returns are achieved early. Rotational grazing and rest periods were crucial for pasture recovery, especially under a dry season scenario.

Learnings for Local Producers

FEED365 provided practical, locally relevant insights for livestock producers in WA’s Northern Agricultural Region. Key learnings include:

Grazing systems must adapt to seasonal variability: Producers who adjusted seed mix, fertiliser and grazing strategies each year saw improved returns.
Perennial-plus-cover crop systems support better performance: These systems delivered higher average daily gains and maintained groundcover, even in drier years.
Pasture establishment and weed control remain critical: Particularly when trialling new species such as tedera, early preparation and competition management are essential.
Early grazing offers the best returns: The highest livestock gains occurred in the first 2–3 weeks of grazing—reinforcing the importance of pre-graze feed planning and post-graze rest.
Producer engagement supports adoption: Extension activities and ongoing discussion contributed to changes in grazing practices, attitudes toward feed gaps, and pasture investment.

Where To From Here?

While FEED365 has concluded, the findings are clear—more resilient and profitable grazing systems are possible with the right planning, seasonal flexibility, and long-term investment in pasture health. Further work is needed in areas such as optimal rest periods, and fine-tuning establishment techniques for alternative species.

The West Midlands Group will continue to support members in applying these insights and exploring new grazing strategies. The FEED365 trials reinforced that adapting grazing systems is not only achievable—but essential—as climate variability and feed costs continue to challenge the region.